Commissioner appoints a new county attorney, clerk

Walker County Commissioner Shannon Whitfield on Tuesday, Jan. 10, filled two positions in his administration and named himself chairman of the Walker County Water & Sewer Authority.

Whitfield named Robin J. Rogers, who currently serves as Dade County’s attorney and who has a private practice in Trenton, as the new Walker County attorney.

Rogers, who will work part-time on an as-needed basis, replaces full-time county attorney Don Oliver.

“I’ve met with (Rogers) several times,” Whitfield told a pack room during a special called meeting Jan. 10 at the commissioner’s office. “I have been impressed with his level of knowledge about county government and he comes highly recommended by the commissioners of Dade County.”

Rogers will work as needed at a rate of about $125 per hour. Oliver made $125,000 per year, plus benefits, a county vehicle and cell phone. Oliver also employed a full-time assistant, who retired at the end of the year and will not be replaced.

During his campaign Whitfield repeatedly said there was no need to have a full-time attorney on the county payroll. New county clerk Whitfield also named Rebecca S. “Becky” Wooden of Rossville as the new county clerk, replacing longtime clerk Bridget Garrett.

“To stay in compliance with Georgia state law, we have got to appoint a county clerk,” he said.

Whitfield said Wooden officially begins work on Jan. 19 and at a lower salary than her predecessor.

Culpepper’s resignation accepted

Whitfield accepted John Culpepper’s resignation from the Walker County Water & Sewer Authority board of which he was chairman.

A letter from Culpepper to Whitfield reads, “Due to the politically charged atmosphere surrounding Walker County Water & Sewer Authority, at this time, I think it is the best interest of the authority, its customers and employees, that I resign my position on the board of directors of the Walker County Water & Sewer Authority, where hereby you take your seat as the board of director table.”

Culpepper, a longtime supporter of former Commissioner Bebe Heiskell, officially resigned from the Water Authority on Jan. 4, shortly after Whitfield accused Heiskell of trying to get a job with the Water Authority upon her exit as commissioner.

During her last commissioner meeting, Heiskell appointed “longtime supporters” Bill Cooke, Michael Haney and Annette North to the Water Authority board, Whitfield said.

The newly elected commissioner said those appointments assured the outgoing commissioner the votes necessary to secure a position with the Water Authority and would deny his opportunity to serve on that board until Culpepper’s term ended on May 31.

Culpepper’s resignation allowed Whitfield to appoint himself as chair of the Water Authority Board.

“Any questions, comments?”

Whitfield asked if there were any questions or comments.

“As a taxpayer and voter in Walker County, in light of the overwhelming support that you received in the election, I think it was pretty dirty for the outgoing commissioner to fill up these boards and, in my opinion, they should voluntarily resign and allow you to appoint new people,.” one resident said.

Another asked if a petition for the removal of the recent appointees from the board would help, to which, Whitfield replied, “I guess they serve either until the term that they are in expires, or unless they just decide to resign on their own. But they have to be able to fulfill those terms. I can’t remove them from those boards and reappoint someone. They would have to resign.”

When asked how the public can submit suggestions about ways to help the county save money. Whitfield answered that the best way is by email and that he is using the same email address used by the previous commissioner which is commissioner@ walkerga.us.

“That is the best way to get ahold of me with suggestions or something you want to send to me in writing. ... That would be great, because we are definitely looking for areas to save and cut costs.”

Whitfield closed the meeting to attend a Water Authority board meeting in Flintstone as the new chair.